The Effects of Polypropylene Fibers on the Mechanical and Durability Performance of a Roller Compacted Concrete for Pavement

Roller-compacted concrete represents a very interesting method to build durable pavement nowadays. However, researchers continue to develop new methods to improve the life cycle and durability of roads. The purpose of this study is to discuss and demonstrate the effect of incorporating polypropylene fibers on the mechanical performance and durability of roller-compacted concrete (RCC) designed for road construction. Six mixes of concrete were made with varying amounts of polypropylene fibers (0, 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 kg/m(3)) and tested for compressive strength and tensile strength. Furthermore, to evaluate the durability, the resistance to sulfuric acid (H2SO4 solution) and the porosity of mercury were measured. The results indicate a significant improvement in compressive strength and tensile strength by 23% and 21%, respectively, with the incorporation of polypropylene fibers. The durability of the concrete was also greatly enhanced. From these results, the optimum amount of fiber added to roller-compacted concrete to improve durability is about 1 kg/m(3).